Student case study · Cyprus
Bishal, from Gorkha to Larnaca
BA Hospitality Management, September 2025 intake
He wanted Cyprus to work and send money home. We told him the rules first. He went to study, with a budget that didn't depend on work.
- After +2
- 2-year gap
- Tight budget
- Starting point
- +2 management, GPA 2.62
- English
- IELTS Academic 5.5
- Study gap
- 2 years after +2, hotel kitchen in Pokhara
- Paid for by
- Family savings and his own earnings
- First call to visa
- 112 days
Where Bishal started
Bishal had worked in a hotel kitchen in Pokhara for 2 years. A friend in Cyprus told him he could study hospitality and work full-time from the first month, sending money home.
What we found
That isn't how Cyprus student permits work. Work comes later, for limited hours, in specific sectors, with an approved contract. We said so on the first call, and that a plan built on full-time work was a plan to break the rules.
His family had about Rs 25 lakh. With a low-tuition hospitality degree in Larnaca and a shared flat, the first year fitted without any work at all. That was the plan we built: anything he earns later is extra.
Step by step, with dates
2 May 2025
First counselling. Work rules explained; budget rebuilt without work.
24 May 2025
IELTS: 5.5.
30 May 2025
Application with his hotel experience letters.
12 Jun 2025
Offer received.
27 Jun 2025
NOC; deposit paid; entry permit documents submitted.
22 Aug 2025
Entry permit issued, 112 days after the first call.
14 Sep 2025
Flies to Larnaca.
The result
Bishal is in his second year. Since March 2026 he works part-time in a hotel kitchen under an approved contract, within the hours his permit allows.
In Bishal's words
My friend said work first, study later. They said study first, work properly later. I'm glad I listened to them.
If your profile looks like this
- 1
Budget Cyprus as if you'll earn nothing in year 1. See Cyprus work rules.
- 2
Hotel or kitchen experience is a strong start for a hospitality degree. Get letters with your duties.
- 3
See hospitality abroad to compare countries.